The age-old discipline of plant therapy has gained renewed importance through the utilization of plants for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles. However, toxicity testing and characterization of the recently synthesized nanomaterials are essential to evaluating their appropriate application. Citrullus colocynthis is a medicinal plant with several health benefits. Herein, we used its ethanolic pulp extract (PE) to manufacture gold nanoparticles (PE-AuNPs). Various approaches were employed to assess the MTT50 and NR50 values of PE and PE-AuNPs at different concentrations in the human hepatocarcinoma cell line (HepG2). The study aimed to assess the genotoxic effects and in vivo toxicity of PE and PE-AuNPs at MTT50 dosages. The quasi-spherical, cubic/triangular prisms, and nail-looking particles exhibited no antioxidant properties. They had an absorbance peak between 540 and 560 nm, diameters of less than 20 nm, hydrodynamic diameters of 177.9 nm, and a negative surface charge (-10.3 mV). The significant role of plant phytochemicals in the formation of metal nanoparticles is confirmed by the diminished antioxidant capacity of extract residues following PE-AuNP synthesis. PE-AuNPs exhibited in vivo and cytotoxic effects at relatively lower concentrations compared to PE. In contrast to PE, PE-AuNPs exhibited lower genotoxic at MTT50 dosages. Despite having MTT50 values of approximately 1.95 ± 0.06 and 0.89 ± 0.03 mg/ml, PE and PE-AuNPs can still be considered biocompatible. Nonetheless, our results suggest that the characteristics of recently produced nanoparticles can differ from those of the matching plant. Further investigation can provide a better understanding of the possible therapeutic and pharmacological impacts of PE-AuNPs.

BACKGROUND: The practice of dentistry benefits greatly from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and advantages should be prioritized over hazards; even modest doses of X-rays have the potential to have cytotoxic effects, damage DNA through their clastogenic impact, and stimulate the creation of micronuclei along with further nuclear changes.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of X-rays in exfoliated oral mucosal cells from patients who underwent CBCT scans at different fields of view (FOV), and to examine and assess the extent of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity caused by X-rays in oral exfoliated cells of people who were subjected to CBCT at different fields of view (FOV).
METHODS: Following CBCT exposure, 66 patients were chosen from the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology at the SVS Institute of Dental Sciences, Mahbubnagar. Cells from the buccal mucosa were then extracted using the exfoliative cytology method, and the samples were examined under a microscope to look for nuclear and cytological abnormalities.
RESULTS: A paired t-test analysis revealed that mean micronuclei increased significantly in each study group from before to after exposure. It increased in Group I from 93.59 to 96.05, in Group II from 83.27 to 91.86, and in Group III from 86.05 to 97.00. Various test analyses revealed an important relation between exposure status and the presence of karyorrhexis in Group III. There was no association in other groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed a significant increase of micronuclei in subjects after exposure to radiation at various FOVs. There was an increased karyorrhexis following radiation exposure in all groups at various FOVs. The significant association between exposure and karyorrhexis in the larger size FOV group was noticed further potentiating the extent of increased damage as the size of FOV is increased.

Recently, the mounting integration of probiotics into human health strategies has gathered considerable attention. Although the benefits of probiotics have been widely recognized in patients with gastrointestinal disorders, immune system modulation, and chronic-degenerative diseases, there is a growing need to evaluate their potential risks. In this context, new concerns have arisen regarding the safety of probiotics as some strains may have adverse effects in humans. Among these strains, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) exhibited traits of concern due to a pathogenic locus in its genome that produces potentially genotoxic metabolites. As the use of probiotics for therapeutic purposes is increasing, the effects of potentially harmful probiotics must be carefully evaluated. To this end, in this narrative review article, we reported the findings of the most relevant in vitro and in vivo studies investigating the expanding applications of probiotics and their impact on human well-being addressing concerns arising from the presence of antibiotic resistance and pathogenic elements, with a focus on the polyketide synthase (pks) pathogenic island of EcN. In this context, the literature data here discussed encourages a thorough profiling of probiotics to identify potential harmful elements as done for EcN where potential genotoxic effects of colibactin, a secondary metabolite, were observed. Specifically, while some studies suggest EcN is safe for gastrointestinal health, conflicting findings highlight the need for further research to clarify its safety and optimize its use in therapy. Overall, the data here presented suggest that a comprehensive assessment of the evolving landscape of probiotics is essential to make evidence-based decisions and ensure their correct use in humans.

The transition metal cadmium (Cd) is toxic to humans and can induce cellular redox stress and inflammation. Cd is a recognized carcinogen, but the molecular mechanisms associated with its genotoxicity and carcinogenicity are not defined. Therefore, a systematic review was undertaken to examine the scientific literature that has covered the molecular mechanism of Cd genotoxicity and its relationship to cellular redox stress and inflammation. An electronic database search of PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science Core Collection was conducted to retrieve the studies that had investigated if Cd genotoxicity was directly linked to the induction of redox stress and inflammation. Studies included exposure to Cd via in vitro and in vivo routes of administration. Of 214 publications retrieved, 10 met the inclusion criteria for this review. Preclinical studies indicate that Cd exposure causes the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and, via concomitant activity of the transcription factor NF-κβ, induces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a cytokine profile consistent with the induction of an allergic response. There is limited information regarding the impact of Cd on cellular signal transduction pathways, and the relationship of this to genotoxicity is still inconclusive. Nevertheless, pre-incubation with the antioxidants, N-acetylcysteine or sulforaphane, or the necroptosis inhibitor, necrostatin-1, reduces Cd toxicity; indicative that these agents may be a beneficial treatment adjunct in cases of Cd poisoning. Collectively, this review highlights that Cd-induced toxicity and associated tissue pathology, and ultimately the carcinogenic potential of Cd, may be driven by redox stress and inflammatory mechanisms.

Trifloxystrobin (TFS) is a widely used strobilurin class fungicide. Ginkgo biloba L. has gained popularity due to its recognized medicinal and antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to determine whether Ginkgo biloba L. extract (Gbex) has a protective role against TFS-induced phytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative damage in A. cepa. Different groups were formed from Allium cepa L. bulbs subjected to tap water (control), 200 mg/L Gbex (Gbex1), 400 mg/L Gbex (Gbex2), 0.8 g/L TFS solution (TFS), 200 mg/L Gbex + 0.8 g/L TFS (TFS + Gbex1) and 400 mg/L Gbex + 0.8 g/L TFS (TFS + Gbex2), respectively. The phenolic composition of Gbex and alterations in the morphological, physiological, biochemical, genotoxicity and anatomical parameters were evaluated. Rutin, protocatechuic acid, catechin, gallic acid, taxifolin, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, epicatechin, syringic acid and quercetin were the most prevalent phenolic substances in Gbex. Rooting percentage, root elongation, weight gain, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b decreased by approximately 50%, 85%, 77%, 55% and 70%, respectively, as a result of TFS treatment compared to the control. In the TFS group, the mitotic index fell by 28% compared to the control group, but chromosomal abnormalities, micronuclei frequency and tail DNA percentage increased. Fragment, vagrant chromosome, sticky chromosome, uneven chromatin distribution, bridge, vacuole-containing nucleus, reverse polarization and irregular mitosis were the chromosomal abnormalities observed in the TFS group. The levels of proline (2.17-fold) and malondialdehyde (2.71-fold), as well as the activities of catalase (2.75-fold) and superoxide dismutase (2.03-fold) were increased by TFS in comparison to the control. TFS-provoked meristematic disorders were damaged epidermis and cortex cells, flattened cell nucleus and thickened cortex cell wall. Gbex combined with TFS relieved all these TFS-induced stress signs in a dose-dependent manner. This investigation showed that Gbex can play protective role in A. cepa against the phytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative damage caused by TFS. The results demonstrated that Gbex had this antioxidant and antigenotoxic potential owing to its high phenolic content.

UNASSIGNED: The widespread use of radiofrequency (RF) sources, ranging from household appliances to telecommunications devices and military equipment, raises concerns among people and regulatory agencies about the potential health risks of RF exposure. Consequently, several in vitro and in vivo studies have been done to investigate the biological effects, in particular non-thermal, of this non-ionizing radiation. To date, this issue is still being debated due to the controversial results that have been reported. Furthermore, the impact of different RF signal modulations on biological systems remains poorly investigated. The present in vitro study aims to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of continuous or pulsed 1.6 GHz RF in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF).
UNASSIGNED: HDF cultures were exposed to continuous and pulsed 1.6 GHz RF, for 2 h, with Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 0.4 W/kg. The potential biological effects of 1.6 GHz RF on HDF were assessed with a multi-methodological approach, analyzing the effects on cell cycle, ultrastructure, protein expression, mitotic spindle, CREST stained micronuclei, chromosome segregation and γ-H2AX/53BP1 foci.
UNASSIGNED: 1.6 GHz RF exposure modified proteins expression and morphology of HDF. Specifically, the expression of different heat-shock proteins (HSP) (i.e., HSP-90, HSP-60, and HSP-25) and phospho-AKT were affected. In addition, both continuous and pulsed RF modified the cytoskeletal organization in HDF and increased the number of lysosomes, while the formation of autophagosomes was observed only after pulsed RF exposure. Mitotic spindle anomalies were also found after exposure. However, no significant effect was observed on cell cycle, chromosome segregation, CREST-stained micronuclei and γ-H2AX/53BP1 foci.
UNASSIGNED: The results of the present study show the absence of genotoxic damage in 1.6 GHz RF exposed HDF and, although mitotic spindle alterations were observed, they did not have an aneugenic effect. On the other hand, changes in some proteins expression and cell ultrastructure in exposed HDF suggest that RF can potentially induce cell alterations at the morphological and molecular levels.

BACKGROUND: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are often advertised as a safer alternative to traditional smoking. However, recent data suggest they may not be as safe as previously believed. This study aims to evaluate the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of e-cigarette liquids.
METHODS: We randomly selected eight varieties of e-cigarette liquids from the local market in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We evaluated their genotoxicity using the Genotoxicity SOS-Chromo Test™ Kit. In this investigation, a rat liver S9 fraction was utilized to emulate liver metabolic function to measure any chemical substance\'s mutagenic potential. The SOS-Chromo Test was performed by recording the β-galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase activity with and without the metabolic activation enzyme (S-9).
RESULTS: All samples, except for the first two dilutions of sample 2, were nongenotoxic in the absence of the S9 activation enzyme, according to the genotoxicity analysis. However, when tested in the presence of the S9 enzyme, samples 2, 4, and 7 exhibited mutagenic activity at varying concentrations.
CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to common belief, e-cigarettes are not safe. The present investigation confirms the presence of both toxicants and carcinogens in some e-cigarette liquids. This exposure could increase users\' risk of various health complications.

UNASSIGNED: Bisphenols are widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and resin coatings. Bisphenol A (BPA) is suggested to cause a wide range of unwanted effects and \"low dose toxicity\". With the search for alternative substances to BPA, the use of other bisphenol derivatives namely bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) has increased.
UNASSIGNED: In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the in silico predicted inhibitory concentration 50s (pIC50s) of bisphenol derivatives on immune and apoptotic markers and DNA damage on HepG2 cells. Moreover, apoptotic, genotoxic and immunotoxic effects of BPA, BPF and BPS were determined comparatively. Effects of bisphenols on apoptosis were evaluated by detecting different caspase activities. The genotoxic effects of bisphenols were evaluated by measuring the levels of 8-hydroxy-2\'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1). To determine the immunotoxic effect of bisphenol derivatives, the levels of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which are known to be expressed by HepG2 cells, were measured. Results: In silico data indicate that all of the bisphenols may cause alterations in immune and apoptotic markers as well as DNA damage at low doses. İn vitro data revealed that all bisphenol derivatives could affect immune markers at inhibitory concentration 30s (IC30s). In addition, BPF and BPS may also have apoptotic immunotoxic effects.
UNASSIGNED: Both in silico and in vivo research are needed further to examine the toxic effects of alternative bisphenol derivatives.

UNASSIGNED: Synthetic food dyes are being exponentially used in food products and scarce studies regarding their toxicities and safety raise concern. Erythrosine is one of the synthetic food dyes being used in jams, fig, pineapple marmalades, dairy products, soft drinks, pickles, relishes, smoked fish, cheese, ketchup, maraschino cherries and a variety of other foods.
UNASSIGNED: In this study the cyto-genotoxic effect of erythrosine was evaluated, using root meristematic cells of Allium cepa for the cellular and molecular alternations at concentrations 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL.
UNASSIGNED: The results revealed a significant decrease of 57.81% in the mitotic index after 96 h at the 0.1 mg/mL concentration. In biochemical analysis, the malondialdehyde content increased significantly (5.47-fold), while proline content, catalase activity and superoxide dismutase activity decreased gradually in a concentration-dependent manner showing a maximum decrease of 78.11%, 64.68% and 61.73% respectively at the highest concentration after 96 h duration. The comet assay revealed increased DNA damage with increasing concentration and attenuated total reflectance- Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis showed significant alterations in biomolecules as indicated by multivariate analysis, i.e. Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Furthermore, molecular docking demonstrated a strong binding energy (Gbest = -11.46 kcal/mol) and an inhibition constant (Ki) of 3.96 nM between erythrosine and the DNA minor groove.
UNASSIGNED: The present study\'s findings revealed the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of erythrosine on A. cepa root cells. Further, the study also proposed the usefulness of A. cepa as a model system for studying the toxicity of food additives.

The Vanilla genus is crucial for global production in food, perfume, and pharmaceutical industries. However, exploitation threatens some species, leading to extinction. Traditional communities use vanilla for medicinal purposes, and there are species like Vanilla chamissonis Klotzsch and Vanilla bahiana Hoehne with potential to occupy the market. For this, methanolic extraction of these two mentioned species was conducted alongside Vanilla planifolia. Analyzes of the cell viability, mutagenic and genotoxic potential were performed. In the Ames test, the assays were performed with concentrations from 0.5 and 5000 μg/ml and on five strains. Only Vanilla planifolia exhibited mutagenicity at the highest concentration in the TA98 strain. Viability tests were performed within a dose range of 0.05-5000 µg/ml and 24, 48, and 72-hour exposures. It was possible to observe a reduction in cell viability observed only at the highest concentration, for all three species and both cell types tested. Genotoxicity induction by the extracts was assessed at concentrations from 0.5 to 500 µg/ml through the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. No genotoxic damage or reduction in the Nucleus Division Index (NDI). The study found no mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, or genotoxicity in the species tested, indicating potential human use for food or pharmaceutical purposes.